Category: Storm Water

Industrial Stormwater Permitting requirements have been in place for over 20 years. Facilities that fall under one of eleven industry categories identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and have material handling and storage, equipment maintenance and cleaning, and other activities exposed to stormwater are required to have a permit to discharge their stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters. Most often, industrial facilities are covered under General Permits issued by the State, but some facilities have individual permits. Continue reading “Industrial Stormwater Compliance – Increased Focus from Regulators”→

After two rounds of public comments, the final version of Georgia’s General Multi-Sector Industrial Storm Water Permit (GAR050000) renewal has been issued. The permit will become effective on June 1, 2017. Covered industrial facilities will need to meet the following compliance deadlines:

All NOI’s and Annual Reports must now be submitted via Georgia EPD’s Online System (GEOS). Below are links to the final permit and to the GEOS website. If you have any questions or need assistance with submitting an NOI or updating or developing your SWPPP, please contact us.

Most industrial facilities are required to maintain a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) in order to minimize the discharge of pollutants from the property. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) releases a Multi-Sector General Permit every five years that the majority of states model their permits after. These 6 steps are important for maintaining a compliant SWPPP in most states:

Under the Georgia Industrial Storm Water Permit, all covered facilities are required to conduct a smoke, dye, or equivalent test of all floor drains and sinks in industrial areas. These tests are to ensure that these sinks and floor drains do not discharge to storm water conveyances, and must be conducted by the end of the permit, May 31, 2017.

As we reported in an earlier blog post, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) has posted a draft of the 2017 NPDES General Permit No. GAR050000 for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity. The current (2012) version of the permit is set to expire on May 31, 2017, and this revision will replace it. The GAEPD has held three stakeholder meetings that were open to the public, and representatives from CTI were in attendance. There are a few obvious trends that we can see from the direction the GAEPD is heading. Most notably, there is an increased focus on erosion and sedimentation control, and there is a push for higher accountability in completing corrective actions. We will discuss both of these below, but keep in mind that the permit is in an early draft phase. The GAEPD will be issuing a second draft based on input received during the stakeholder meetings and the preliminary comment period, and there will be a second opportunity for the public to comment before the final permit is issued. Continue reading “Update on Georgia’s Draft Industrial Stormwater General Permit”→

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) has posted a draft of the 2017 NPDES General Permit No. GAR050000 for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity. The current (2012) version of the permit is set to expire on May 31, 2017, and this revision will replace it. Most facilities with industrial activities exposed to stormwater are required to have a permit to allow the stormwater to discharge. Some facilities have individual permits, but the majority of industrial facilities are able to obtain coverage under this General Permit, which establishes requirements that are applicable to all covered facilities. Continue reading “Georgia Issues Draft Industrial Stormwater Permit”→

Permittees under the Georgia Industrial Storm Water General Permit must Document If there are any floor drains in the production area and/or sinks that are not in the bathroom, kitchen, breakroom, etc. If any of these are present at the facility, an evaluation is required.

A common source of storm water pollution at industrial facilities is vehicle wash water. Any vehicle wash water that discharges from the facility to the outside would be in violation under the Storm Water Permit. In fact, Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has specifically mentioned that they will evaluate vehicle washing activities while conducting site inspections. Additionally, the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Justice Department have issued citations to several ready-mix concrete plants for failure to maintain best management practices associated with vehicle washing activities. Monetary penalties for these vehicle washing citations totaled $360,000. Continue reading “HANDLING OF VEHICLE WASH WATER”→

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has revised the 2006 NPDES General Stormwater Permit for Industrial Activity. This permit expired on July 31, 2011. According to the Georgia EPD, the 2012 Industrial Stormwater General Permit No. GAR050000 (IGP) was signed on April 16, 2012 and is going to become effective on June 1, 2012. All facilities that are currently operating under the 2006 IGP are required to continue compliance under that permit’s specification until the new permit is in effect. Continue reading “Georgia Industrial Stormwater Permit Update”→